Dacron Fabric Testing.
Ultralight Aircraft Dacron Sailcloth fabric testing.
UltralightNews.com
Look at the fabric on top of the wing which has
been exposed to UV, and the fabric on the
underside of the wing. If there is any significant
difference in color, then the fabric is ROTTEN.
Before buying a craft run your hand along the
fabric, if it comes away feeling greasy then the
fabric has been coated with AP 303 or Armoural.
These products make old rotted fabric look like new! Reports done by several groups have shown that UV
deterioration can happen in as little as 6 months to aircraft left unprotected in the sun.
Check baton tips for breaks or cracks. On many older designs it was necessary to safety wire the batons,
directly in front of the prop, as they tended to move out during flight! OUT INTO THE PROPELLER!
If Velcro is used on the aircraft check to make sure that it is still "STICKY". Many pilots have reported the Velcro attachment points
Ultralight Aircraft, buying a used ultralight aircraft,
how to buy a used NOT abused ultralight!
Wing Assembly: Use a Maule tester/fabric tester to test fabric. My recommendation is not to fly on fabric that tests less than 41 lbs.
on Maule tester .
Another tester available www.air-techinc.com by Quicksilver uses a different kind of tester and scale. The minimum with it is 10 lbs.
It is a handy and economical gauge to have in your aircraft tool kit. Watch the video for more information.
